Exercise device



April 19, 1949.

O. P. MIKELL, JR

EXERCISE DEVICE Filed June 19, 1946 Z] 1 WWW Z2 MkeZZ, J1.

L. M W

Patented Apr. 19, 1949 OFFICE DEVICE Ovid P. Mikel]; liri, Miami, Fla.

Application June 19, 1946, Serial No. 677,757

This invention relates to exercise devices and more particularly to an exercise device for correcting weakened or flabby conditions of the lower leg and foot.

It is an object of my invention to provide a device of simple and durable construction and having therapeutic value in exercising the lower limb and/or foot of a patient having a weakened condition therein due to fracture or other cause.

It is another object of my invention to provide a device of the class described which can be used by a patient while in a sitting position.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an exercising device which may be applied to the leg and foot of a patient quickly and conveniently.

It is a still further object of my invention to so construct my device as to be securely and comfortably applied when in use.

My invention will now be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective showing all essential details of the device;

Figure 2 is a side view showing the device as applied to a patient; and

Figure 3 is a partial front view of the device as applied in Figure 2.

With reference to the figures of the drawing my invention comprises a pair of foot engaging members 3 and 5 which may be cylindrical in form, as shown, and which are adapted to engage a patients foot just back of the ball and under the toes, respectively. Members 3 and 5 are maintained in proper spaced relation by a pair of chains 8 and 9 secured thereto. Tension means comprising coil springs l2 and I4 are secured to the mid-points of respective chains 8 and 9 and strap means H, which may be of resilient material, are secured to the opposite ends of coil springs 12 and M as by clips l9 and 2|, respectively, and chains 23 and 25, or in any other suitable manner. Additional strap means 30, which may be of resilient material, are arranged to engage back of the heel of the patient as best shown in Fig. 2, and to have extending portions 32 and 34 encompassing the foot on both sides and engaging the forward member 5 by being looped therearound, as seen in Fig. 1. The extending portions 32 and 34 may pass between the first and second toes and the fourth and fifth toes, respectively, to provide secure and nonslipping engagement of the foot with the rigid members 3 and 5.

In the operation of my device the patient is r 9 Claims. ((1272-80) preferably seated, with his leg and foot. engaged as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, and by oscillating the foot at the ankle joint he exercises all bones and muscles disposed in the leg and foot necessary for overcoming tension of the springs 12 and I4;

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that I have provided a simple and use ful device beneficial in rehabilitation work where physical therapy is required. I believe that my invention is subject to considerable modification without departing from the spirit thereof; for example, the strap l1 and chains 23 and 25 may, if desired, be constructed so as to be adjustable for various lengths of limb, and also, to initially tension springs 12 and I4 to any desired extent. Likewise, the strap 30 including portions 32 and 34 may be adjustable to fit various foot sizes. Further, notches may be provided in any suitable manner in the member 5 to receive the loop ends of strap portions 32 and 34 so as to maintain such portions in spaced relation corresponding to the varying width of patients feet.

Accordingly, I do not consider myself bound by the specific disclosure hereinabove illustrated except as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of class described, a pair of rigid foot engaging rod members, said members being of a length slightly greater than the width of a foot and being in spaced relation so as to be disposed respectively beneath the toes and immediately back of the ball of a patients foot, flexible linkage means connecting the ends of said members to maintain said spaced relation, and tension means connected to said flexible link means, and arranged to apply tension to said flexible link means intermediate the foot engaging members.

2. In a device of the class described, a pair of rigid parallel spaced rod members having a distance therebetween conforming generally to the distance at the bottom of a human foot from beneath the toes to just back of the ball of the foot, and of a length to extend slightly beyond the sides of the foot, spaced parallel linkages connecting the ends of said members to ensure the spacing thereof, and tension means secured to each of said linkages and arranged to apply tension thereto.

3. In a device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tension means comprises a pair of coil springs arranged to apply tension to said linkage means at points spaced apart substantially the Width of a human foot.

4. In a device of the class described, a pair of foot engaging members, said members being in spaced relation so as to be disposed beneath the toes and immediately back of the ball of a patients foot, flexible linkage means connecting said members to maintain said spaced relation, tension means comprising a pair of coil springs arranged to apply tension to said linkage means at points spaced apart substantially the width of said patients;foot;.including strammeans, sea cured tooppos-ite ends of said coil springs and arranged to engage the bent leg of said patient just above the knee.

5. In a device as set forth in claim 1, including. strap means secured to one of said foot engaging members and arranged to engage saidpatients:

foot just back of the heel.

6. In a device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said foot engaging members comprise cylind'ricali springs secured to respective chains at substantially the central points thereof, including means comprising a strap secured to opposite ends of said coil springs and adapted to engage the bent leg of a patient just back of the knee.

8. In a device as set forth in claim 1, including strap means having its ends looped over the forwardly positioned foot engaging member and adapted to engage the foot of said patient just back oftheheel; saidilooped. ends of the strap means-= being: spaced apar-t by having parts of same disposed between selected toes of said patient.

9.. Ina device as set forth in claim 7, including additional strap means secured to that member whiohisdisposed beneath the toes, said additional strap means being arranged to pass around the foot of the patient and engage therewith just backof. the heel and having portions adapted to pass between the toes.

OVID. P. MIKELL, JR:

REFERENCES CITED- The following references are. of; record; in:; the file of: this; patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number. Name Date 1,511,312 Alastalosown- ,1924

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date.

334,255, Great,B1.itain. .Sept..1-, 1930 434,067 Great.Britain,. Aug. 26,1935 

